A Call to Prayer

My Dear Augustana,

As we pray in these days, it would be nice to know we're on the same page. Here are some prayers I've adapted for us, from the Lutheran World Federation. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we prayed them everyday, even though we're apart from one another physically? Plus, we are joining our prayers to millions of others around the world...

Intercessory Prayer in the midst of the spread of COVID-19

O God our Healer, show your compassion for the whole human family that is in turmoil and burdened with illness and with fear. Hear our cry, O God,

Listen to our prayer.

Come to our aid as the coronavirus spreads globally, heal those who are sick, support and protect their families and friends from being infected. Hear our cry, O God,

Listen to our prayer.

Grant us your spirit of love and self-discipline so that we may come together, working to control and eliminate the coronavirus. Hear our cry, O God,

Listen to our prayer.

Make us vigilant, attentive, and proactive in the eradication of diseases like malaria, dengue, HIV & AIDS, and other illnesses that afflict the human family [please name an illness with which you, or a neighbor, struggles]. We long for the suffering and death to stop. Hear our cry, O God,

Listen to our prayer.

Heal our self-centeredness and indifference that makes us worry only when the virus threatens us, open ways beyond timidity and fear that too easily tempt us to see our neighbors as threats. Hear our cry, O God,

Listen to our prayer.

Strengthen and encourage those in public health services and in the medical profession: caregivers, nurses, attendants, doctors, all who commit themselves to caring for the sick and their families. Hear our cry, O God,

Listen to our prayer.

Inspire, give insight and hope to all researchers focused on developing vaccines. May they work safely, quickly, and successfully. Hear our cry, O God,

Listen to our prayer.

Sustain all workers and business owners who suffer loss of livelihood due to shut-downs, quarantines, closed borders, and other restrictions. Protect and guard all those who must travel. Hear our cry, O God,

Listen to our prayer.

Guide the leaders of the nations that they speak the truth, halt the spread of misinformation, and act with justice—so that all your family may know healing. Hear our cry, O God,